….

The encounter with Master Piandao left Aang's mind swirling. So much so, that he knew he could not immediately return to the wedding. He knew that Azula would be impatient for him to return, and that the Firelord would be angry if he stayed away longer, but still, he needed some time to contemplate the Swordmaster's revelations.

To take it all in.

And to make a decision.

So Aang slipped from the party and flitted over the rooftops to his own room, sliding with practiced ease through the window.

When his feet touched lightly down on the wooden floor, he looked around, as if with new eyes. It was strange how different his room felt. This familiar space, that had been his for the past seven years, suddenly felt as foreign as it had the first day he was brought there as a boy.

Aang looked at his large, plush bed, remembering how he'd been unable to fall asleep in it in the beginning. It had seemed too large, too soft, and too lonely. Early on, Aang had opted to stretch out on the wood floor below the window instead, looking up at the evening sky while the night breezes sang him to sleep. But one morning Counselor Zhao had found him there, and objected, scolding him for his uncivilized behavior, and insisting that he sleep in the bed.

So Aang had adapted. He'd learned to sleep in the bed. To keep his tears hidden. To grow his hair long and brush it up tight in a topknot. To chant his Air Nomad prayers first silently, and then later, not at all.

He'd found a way to be what was expected, at least on the outside. But, Aang realized now, he had lost who he was on the inside as well, compromising in ways that he'd never dreamed he could.

Aang's eyes passed over his room: the ornate desk, the deep velvet chaise, the heavy gold-tasseled curtains, the shelves full of expensive books and scrolls. Memories of Katara imbued this space now too. He had tried to forget them, trying to put his love for her away. But he couldn't.

Aang approached the bookcase, passing his fingers over their titles. With the exception of some of the bending references, these books were all new. All bound in the same red leather with the words Avatar Edition embossed in gold on each spine.

They're lying to you, Aang. All of them.

Katara's words came resonating back to him.

Aang had never questioned it before, but why, when the palace had a large and extensive library already, go to the trouble to make books especially for him? Aang had been restricted from borrowing the library's other books—one of the many rules he had obeyed without question—but it had not occurred to him until now to ask why.

Misinformed

That was the word Master Piandao had used. Could it be true? That he'd been lied to, so that he could be used for the Firelord's own purposes? And being young, scared, and beguiled, Aang had done all that had been asked of him.

Aang dropped his hand from the books, feeling resolve build steadily inside of him. He was finally ready. Ready to find the truth that had eluded him.

Aang removed the heavy jewelry from his neck, and the bulky outer robe of his groom's suit. Then, folding himself on the floor, he placed his fists together, blue arrows pointing surely at one another. As his eyelids slid calmly closed, he felt his brow relax, and his breath deepen. Aang felt the freeing of his conscious thoughts, as he released judgement and just allowing himself to be. This time the meditation felt easy, like skipping down the well-worn path between the eating hall and the airball court with his friends—a path so familiar he could have run it blindfolded.

As Aang's meditation deepened, his confusion began to melt away like the mountain's last winter snows in warm sunshine; calm, clarity, and truth flowed to his mind like the freshly thawed streams flowing down from the high peaks in spring.

Did Aang know who was lying, and who was not? No. He still wasn't sure.

Katara and Piandao both had connections to Zuko. Could it be that they were both working under his order, trying to misguide the Avatar? It was possible. Aang had no sure way to tell.

And he could not deny the threat veiled behind Piandao's eloquent words.

But as Aang freed his mind, there were some things that became very clear:

First, Aang knew what it was to be loved.

He'd been loved by Monk Gyatso and the other Airbenders. And, more recently, that feeling had been awakened by Katara as well. He now recognized that what had been extended to him here in the Fire Palace was not love.

Aang had been so hungry for any scrap of love, that he had tried to see it where it was not. Counselor Zhao's flattery was not love. And the Firelord may call himself his father, but Aang could now see that what Ozai demanded of him could never stem from love.

Aang, Avatar or not, was an Air Nomad. That was not something to be ashamed of. He was all that was left of his people, and as an Air Nomad, he knew he would not kill Zuko.

So starting now, Aang would no longer be a weapon in the Firelord's hand.

And second, just as Aang had been loved, he also knew what it was to love. What he felt for Katara was genuine. Despite the seemingly bottomless grief he would always feel knowing that his people were gone, Aang had felt something reborn in him when he was with Katara. And he could not turn his back on that.

So he knew that he could not marry Azula.

Words sprang to his lips as he sat. "Jīvanakō pēya titō ra mīṭhō cha…"

The drink of life is bitter and sweet… The mantra the monks had chanted, the mantra of acceptance. "Tyasailē ma yō sabai dhan'yavādakā sātha pi'unēchu." So I will drink it all with thankfulness.

This same prayer had come unwittingly to his lips while he'd been whipped with fire. But he had not understood. He had thought the prayer was intended to give him strength to accept whatever hardships were placed upon him. But in a spark of enlightenment, Aang now knew that he had misunderstood.

It was true that life was full of bitter and sweet, and that there was power in accepting both. But what he had missed, was that he had capacity to choose. This was not a prayer of surrender. But a mighty prayer of pacifist power! If he did not fear the bitter, he could stand immovable, ready to drink down the sweet and bitter that he chose.

Refusing the Firelord's wishes might end in pain, even perhaps in his own death. But it would come with the sweet surety that he was being true to himself. And that he could drink with thankfulness. Submission was now something he could no longer stomach.

Aang's thoughts turned to Master Pakku. He had never been quite sure why his waterbending Master had been executed. He'd been told that it was just, that Pakku was a traitor. But he'd never understood. He could never forget how Pakku had stood boldly at the stake, his gaze sure and challenging as he'd looked Aang in the eye. Strangely, Aang had detected no regret in his blue eyes.

Aang had let fear rule him for so long, that letting it go made him feel as light as a bird that finally remembered it knew how to fly!

"Jīvanakō pēya titō ra mīṭhō cha…" Aang's lips moved even as eyes stayed shut. Life is bitter and sweet, so I will drink it all with thankfulness. Aang felt thankfulness swell full inside him.

Ozai had once taught him that everyone had a price: a price they were willing to pay, and a price they were willing to accept.

Despite the rush of empowerment he felt swell within him sitting motionless on the floor, a tremor of fear gripped him as his thoughts turned to Katara. She was a price he could not pay. He knew that his own life may be forfeit, but he simply could not risk hers. He would have to get her to safety. No matter the cost.

Aang knew that to save her, they would have to leave the Fire Nation together. Tonight.

Master Piandao had spoken of an open window. And Aang was ready to accept it. But he knew he would not walk through that window alone.

Aang stood from his meditation, the skeleton of a plan forming in his mind. Nerves elbowed one another, jostling like a crowded market in his gut. But he was finally ready to act.

Calmly he redressed in his groom's robes. One by one he replaced the heavy necklaces. Yet somehow, despite the jewels' weight, he still felt lighter than ever.

With the easy grace only an Airbender could manage, Aang hopped out the window and up onto the roof. Ready to return to his wedding.

….

"Oh, Ty Lee," Azula said with surprise as she opened the door to her dressing room. "You're already here."

Azula had just barely sent Director Ao'nao to fetch Ty Lee, so she was a bit startled to open the door and see her friend already inside.

Ty Lee squeaked, turning toward Azula, her grey eyes wide like saucers.

Azula narrowed her eyes. Why is she surprised?

Azula looked around. The light in the room was dim—for some reason there was only one torch burning—so with a quick exhale Azula pointed her fingers quickly at the other torches. The room flared brightly in a blue glow as she lit all the torches.

It was then that she saw her. Standing reflected in the vanity mirror, her body half covered by the door Azula had just opened.

Mai.

Azula didn't know why she was so startled. After all she'd seen Mai in her mirror just two nights ago. Still the sight of her standing there now brought Azula up short.

This time Mai was not clad in her usual maroon pants suit, but instead in full black. The outfit was a tighter fit than she usually wore, but still loose enough to undoubtably conceal any number of sharp, throwable objects. Her black hair was pulled back in a no-nonsense bun at the nape of her neck, her usual bangs shading her eyes. She looked like a shadow.

Except for something in her hand that flashed blue, highlighted in the blue light of the torches.

It was an opera mask. How strange.

The two former friends stared at one another for a long moment. As usual Mai's expression gave nothing away. What did Mai want a mask for? Azula thought. Her face already was one.

But Azula had no time for mirages today, and she was in no mood for a hallucination to tell her all her deepest worries on her wedding day, so Azula consciously looked away. The fires in the torches turned yellow as Azula released her control.

"Ty Lee," she said crisply, ignoring Mai and her own disquiet. "I need to change into my next dress. The final toast will be taking place in half and hour, and I need to be ready."

"Of… course, Azula," Ty Lee replied, a bit of a shake in her voice. "I'm happy to help you with that."

Azula walked to the center of the room and lifted her arms, allowing Ty Lee space to untie the wide, complicated bow on the back of her dress. But she could not keep from glancing back at the vanity mirror.

As her eyes darted to the reflection, Azula breathed a sigh of relief.

Mai was gone.

…

Aang stood on a small back balcony overlooking a corner of the massive palace gardens, waiting. Master Piandao had promised that instructions would be given here.

There was no moon tonight and a cover of wispy clouds moved over the stars, causing them to wink in and out of view. The night was black, and here in this under-lit corner of the garden, the shadows below were pitch as midnight. The Unknown that may be watching him from these shadows made Aang's stomach twist uncertainly. Were they already there? Would they come at all?

Aang had returned to his wedding celebration after his enlightened meditation feeling more calm and assured than he had in years. However, Azula's heated annoyance at his long disappearance, and the Firelord's clearly disapproving gaze from his seat above the party had brought back some of his long-conditioned fear. Old worries began to creep in, ebbing away at his courage. Standing alone here on the balcony, Aang had rubbed his forearms nearly raw.

He was not second guessing his decision to meet with this contact, and presumably to leave with them—as long as they agreed to his stipulations—but the danger he was in was real, and his insides wrung tightly in apprehension.

Aang glanced over his shoulder back into the palace. No one had come looking for him yet. This balcony was an opportune spot, since it opened into a private sitting room that adjoined the back of the ballroom, affording it more privacy than most of the large balconies that opened directly into the ballroom itself.

Aang looked out into the darkness of the garden. He would be lying if said he knew who was telling the truth and who wasn't. Aang did not entirely trust Piandao—and he had very real concerns about Zuko. But it had felt undoubtably Right when he'd heard Master Piandao talk about balance, and about the Avatar belonging to all the nations. Aang knew he was not honoring his role as the Avatar, nor as the Last Airbender, while continuing to live as a prince of the Fire Nation.

So he was ready to leave. And to accept help to do so.

Aang's ears perked up, and he peered more intently into the shadows below. The silence in the garden was absolute. But it was that same silence—the sudden absence of the lighting-crickets' song—that alerted him that someone was there.

Aang leaned forward on the railing, straining to see.

Just then a razor sharp disk knife whistled through the air, lodging itself solidly between his hands in the finely smoothed wood of the balcony railing. Aang jerked back, alarmed.

Aang peered more closely in the direction he'd sensed the knife shifting the air. Just then the clouds moved, revealing a spattering of stars which shone down, lighting up the startling face of a blue demon in the shadow!

The demon brought a black gloved finger to its lips, reminding Aang to keep quiet before disappearing into the shadows beneath him.

Looking carefully over his shoulder, Aang checked to be sure that no one from the party had come near. He then examined the sharpened disk more closely. Aang's brow lowered. He'd seen disks like this before, a rather unique weapon… Carefully he worked the disk back and forth until it came loose from the polished wood.

Aang glanced toward the ballroom once again, and his stomach jumped into his throat! The blue demon stood on the balcony with him, its back against the wall next to the doorway! Aang swallowed the cry that almost escaped his lips.

This close up, Aang could see that the blue demon face was in fact, a mask—one he'd actually seen before in an opera performed in the palace for the royal family. His eyes narrowed as he observed the slender, black-clad body of the masked person.

Aang held up the knife in his hand. "Mai…?"

"Hey, Aang," a familiar, drab voice answered. The figure then reached up and removed the frightening blue mask.

"Mai!" Aang said, his voice full of confusion and surprise. "What are you..? Why are you here?"

Mai's stoic face did no more than raise a solitary eyebrow. "I'm assuming Azula didn't tell you what happened to me in the earthlands, huh?"

"Wha—? No. Just that you'd stayed there on your last trip."

Mai snorted once without humor. "Not that I double-crossed her and left to join Zuko?"

Aang's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"I guess that's par for the course when dealing with you though, huh? You never get the whole story."

Aang's brow furrowed, a sudden anger flaring in his chest. Mai had known! All along she had known that Aang was being lied to! "You knew, didn't you? All along you knew! How did you never say anything to me?!"

"No one said anything. It was all part of protocol."

"But you went along with it!"

"Yeah. Because just like you, I'd learned to do what I was told!" Mai's retort was uncharacteristically impassioned. Her sharp golden eyes glared daggers at him, daring him to challenge her. "I'd still be doing what I was told if Azula hadn't been so close to killing Zuko. I couldn't… I couldn't let her do that."

In Mai's rare display of emotion Aang saw something. Something passionate. And caring. Immediately Aang's anger dissipated, replaced by compassion. Mai had felt trapped here too.

Mai's usual unreadable expression returned and she sighed, somehow sounding both exasperated and long-suffering simultaneously. "Look, Aang, I get why you're mad. You can punish me for my sins later. But what matters right now is that the Rebellion is giving you a chance here. That wasn't always in the plans." Mai broke eye contact with him. "The Avatar is a big enough threat that most Resistance members preferred elimination."

Aang felt his stomach plummet like a sudden dive on his glider. The way his life was discussed like a chip on everyone's pai sho board was overwhelming.

"But a few of us stood up for you," Mai continued. "I knew you could be turned. Once you knew the truth."

The truth. Such a heavy word of late.

"Is that why they sent you? To try to convince me?"

"Sure. That. And the fact that I know the palace grounds better than anyone in the Resistance; except maybe Zuko and General Iroh, I suppose."

Mai kept her back close to the wall of the palace, out of sightline of anyone from inside. "I'm not exactly fully trusted in the Resistance yet. But Master Piandao is. And apparently you passed his evaluation."

Again that uncomfortable feeling of other people deciding his fate.

Aang's mind spun with a thousand questions. But he reigned them in, trying to stay focused. "So what happens now?"

"We get you out of the Fire Nation. Tonight."

"You have a boat?"

"No boat." The hint of a smile flashed at the corner of Mai's mouth. "We're going to fly."

Aang's eyes snapped to Mai's, and a smile bloomed on his face. "I like the sound of that."

"I thought you might," Mai said, her usual deadpan tone contrasting with the knowing shimmer in her eye. "The Resistance bought a Fire Nation military balloon through a 'leaky faucet' in the R&D department. We plan to get out without being seen; but if not, hopefully the National insignia will keep any Fire Nation military from shooting us down until we make it into Earth Kingdom territory."

A leaky faucet in the R&D department? Immediately Aang thought of Sokka. She must be talking about him!

"So here's the plan." Mai launched into a quiet but quick recitation of information. "In just a few minutes you and Azula will stand for the final toast, after which the guests will all begin to leave. There will be a lot of movement going on as guests find their palanquins and leave the palace grounds. You will need to act as though you are going to your room as usual, but instead double back, exiting the palace through the servant's door in the kitchen. I trust you can make it into the kitchens without being seen?"

Aang smirked, thinking of his frequent, unsanctioned visits to the kitchens. "Yeah. I think I can manage that."

Mai's eyes narrowed at the irony in his tone, but she went on anyway. "We've been assured from one of our own, that that particular exit will be cleared of all palace personnel at that time. Once outside, there will be a curtained palanquin waiting for you directly outside the exit. Speak to no one. Just get in, close the curtain, and you will be taken to the rendezvous point—Why are you shaking your head, Aang? Aren't you listening?"

"Sorry Mai, that's not going to work."

"Of course it will work. This plan has been in preparation for years."

"No, no, that's not what I mean. What I mean is that I can't leave without Katara."

"Excuse me?" Mai said, annoyed.

"Katara. My waterbending master." Aang felt a blush rise to his cheeks. He hoped that the darkness kept Mai from seeing. "I can't leave her behind."

"Do you have any idea how complicated it's been to put this escape together, Aang? You can't change the plan. Already the plan had to be accelerated because you were so abruptly being brought to the Earth Kingdom. It was difficult to even pull this together. We can't risk any changes."

But Aang continued to shake his head. "Listen, I only agree to the plan if I can get two things." He counted on his fingers. "One, that 'leaky faucet' from R&D—he has to come with us."

Mai smirked, "Interestingly enough, you are the second person to request that same thing tonight…"

Aang wondered at what she meant, but refused to be diverted. He counted on a second finger. "And two, you have to take Katara too." Then with a shrug, "and of course Appa. But that's a given."

Mai let out an exasperated sigh. "Learn to count, Aang! That's three things. Ugh." She rested her forehead exasperatedly on her fingertips. "Changes to the plan can't be made at this point. I'm working on getting the Water Triber from R&D, but already that's a stretch—the Rebellion is going to be pretty pissed with me about that already. Tonight we'll just have to get you out, and then make a plan to get the others another time."

"No." Aang was so rarely this definitive, that his word sounded like stone. "I won't leave without Katara. Or Appa."

Mai glared at him. "Well how exactly are you planning to 'sneak' away your 10-ton bison? And to bust Katara out of prison and bring her with us?"

Aang didn't like the way Mai said Katara's name, but he had bigger things to worry about. "I can get Katara."

"Aang—"

"No, I know where she is! I know I can get her out and bring her to you. Then I can go back by myself for Appa. Forget the palanquin, just tell me where the air balloon will be and Katara and I will meet you there."

"That information is classified." The way Mai folded her arms over her chest irritated Aang.

"What do you mean classified?"

"It means I'm not supposed to tell you."

"I know that, but— I mean why?"

Mai just looked at him. A second later it dawned on him. They were protecting themselves. The Rebellion didn't trust him.

Aang took a step back. "You don't trust me."

"Who I do or do not trust isn't important here."

"Of course it is!"

Mai sighed. "Listen Aang, if this thing goes sour, the Rebellion could lose far more than just you. So much has been risked for this."

"You're gonna have to trust me, Mai."

Mai's narrowed golden eyes stared Aang down in a silent stand off. Finally she huffed. "I hate you, you know."

Aang smiled, knowing that meant that he'd won. "Naw, I think you kinda like me," he said, teasing.

Mai glared harder, ignoring his remark. "So what's the new plan?"

"You get Sokka to the air balloon. I spring Katara and the two of us ride Appa to meet up with you, wherever you are."

"That's a terrible plan, Aang. Way too much left to chance."

Aang glanced past Mai's shoulder to inside the sitting room, and then looked back at her. "But it's the only one I'll agree to."

"Curse you, Aang!" Mai said under her breath, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Just tell me where the air balloon will be. I'll meet you there."

There was a long pause before Mai finally caved. "Fine. But I'll have to change the rendezvous point; move it off-island. That humongous buffalo of yours will make it impossible to meet in the city." Mai thought for a moment. "There's a small uninhabited island behind Ember Island. Opposite side from the harbor. Assuming I'm not followed, I'll wait for you there until just before sunrise. But after that, I'll have to go, with or without you."

Mai looked annoyed at him. "You know I'm going to get it for this, right?"

"Thank you, Mai."

Aang held the razor disk he'd pulled from the railing out to Mai. The knife disappeared into Mai's sleeve like a magic trick. "And thanks for not killing me with that," Aang said with a playful smirk.

"Just wanted you to know that I could have," Mai replied dryly, the hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth.

"You know I've never doubted that."

"Good," she replied, satisfaction heavy in her raspy voice.

Mai swung one leg over the railing, and lifted the blue mask preparing to put it on. But Aang stopped her.

"Mai?" She paused. "How did you know… about me? That I could be turned?" Aang asked. He didn't know why this mattered to him right now, but it did.

Mai's chin raised, an eyebrow arching at him confidently. "I've seen through you all along, Aang. As you grew up you got better at faking it, sure. But as one who has mastered wearing a mask," Mai tapped the blue demon disguise in her hand, "I knew what to look for."

Care for Mai suddenly expanded in Aang's chest. He'd always known she was perceptive, but he'd never known how much she really saw. Mai had always come across as apathetic, disconnected, uncaring; but now Aang could see that underneath that, Mai's feelings ran deep—all the more reason she would have had to try to hide them, he supposed.

Moved, Aang strode to Mai and gathered her in a large hug as she straddled the railing. It went against Fire Nation social graces to hug her, but it just felt right.

"Ugh!" Mai said as the air was crushed from her chest. "No. Absolutely not." Freeing her arms, she pushed Aang backward. "Nope, not you and Ty Lee both. I had to deal with her already, so you aren't allowed hugging privileges."

Aang chuckled but let her go. "Just… thank you, Mai. For… you know, risking this."

Mai smiled minutely and then drew the blue demon mask over her face. "Don't screw it up then," her raspy voice said from behind it.

And then she dropped out of sight.

…

"Who were you talking to?" Azula asked Aang's back as he stood on the small balcony, gazing intently into the shadows of the garden below.

Aang's spine visibly stiffened, followed by a long pause. Azula's eyes narrowed, noting his guilty stillness even as her eyes slid indulgently down his back, appreciating the way his strong shoulders tapered just perfectly to his hips. She had to move her eyes upward to meet his when he turned to face her.

"I was just getting some air," he said lightly, as he cocked a charming half-smile.

Her breath hitched slightly, the presence of Aang rousing an ancient ache inside her. When Aang looked at her like that, she felt a need, like hunger, awaken. If she fed this beast, could she make the gnawing emptiness go away? Would she finally fill the void she'd carried—and ignored—ever since Mother had left? It was an absurd train of thought, she knew. What she felt for Aang was both alike, and very unlike, what she knew that Mother had felt for her.

Azula felt heat rise to her face, so she looked away, straightening her shoulders and training her eyes on the garden as she moved toward the balcony railing. But Aang moved in front of her, taking her arm and turning her away, back towards the celebration. A flutter erupted behind her navel at his touch.

"I'm ready to come in now," Aang smiled smoothly. "Shall we go do our final toast?" He now appeared perfectly at ease—no trace of the guilt she'd startled out of him a second ago.

Azula's eye narrowed again. Something was amiss. Her head swiveled back towards the dark garden.

She knew what she had thought she'd heard as she'd entered the sitting room looking for Aang. Mai. Again. But the frequent, sudden appearances of her old friend left Azula feeling unmoored, disquieted. Like she couldn't trust her own senses. She could not admit to herself that she did not know what was real and what was not.

"No," she said, planting her feet. "I'm not ready to come in yet." She turned to go back to the railing, peering into the darkness. "Something is down there."

But Aang kept up with her, startling her by wrapping a hand around her waist. "Come on Azula," Aang coaxed with that maddening smile on his lips. "There's nothing down there but lightening-crickets and garden-voles. Come back to the party."

His hand on her waist made Azula's thoughts fuzzy. What was she doing again? She turned in his hand to face him, and her heart began to thud in her chest at his proximity. His eyes held hers, and she couldn't look away. She gulped down a nervous flutter.

"I need to… see what's… down there," she fumbled.

Aang chuckled, a deep throaty sound. "Nothing's down there. Everything is in there," he said tipping his head towards the ballroom. Aang had been despondent or distracted most of the evening. But now, suddenly he was all charm, flashing that smile, and making her heart stutter. His effect on her was all-encompassing. Azula swallowed hard, her gaze held captive by Aang's.

The sound of a stick breaking in two snapped Azula's face back towards the garden—

But Aang's hand found her jaw and turned her face back to him, his mouth suddenly on hers! Azula's eyes slipped shut as her mind muddled blissfully, elation leaping inside of her! Her breath caught and her chest pounded.

Since their engagement, Aang had thus far obeyed her demands for physical affection. But this was the first time that he'd initiated any himself. The experience felt totally different, electric and exhilarating! Azula's hands found their way around Aang's neck as she pulled him to her, her stomach jolting pleasantly.

Aang stood up straight, breaking their kiss. But still he kept his eyes locked with hers; Azula was completely unable to look away. "We should go in now, Azula," he said quietly. "We don't want to be late for our toast."

Azula felt her throat struggle to swallow. All she could do was nod in agreement, her brain feeling hazy, but… happy. She willingly followed as Aang's hand guided the small of her back towards the light of the ballroom.

All along she had yearned for this, for Aang to want her as she wanted him. She felt a portion of emptiness fill up inside her.

"He's hiding something from you," Mai's voice said in her head.

Azula nodded in agreement, laughter bubbling from somewhere deep down and escaping uncontrollably from her smiling red lips. She put her own hand over Aang's on her waist, feeling both exposed and invincible in this moment.

Always, always what she had wanted from Aang had eluded her, always remaining just out of reach. But now that he'd offered it to her, even as her body swelled with happiness, she could taste his deceit. She'd known all along that Aang hadn't been happy about their engagement; understanding people's emotions was not her strength, but she had always been good at reading them. She hadn't been fool enough to miss Aang's reticence. So this sudden change in his demeanor, despite being exactly what she wanted, filled Azula with suspicion.

But she willfully looked past the lie, just to feel the joy for a moment longer.

"He's lying to you," Mai said with a sigh.

Azula had always fought Mai's words in her head, denying her claims. But this time, Azula knew. The cloudy bliss Aang's kiss had put her in also gave her new clarity, as though getting what she wanted left her drunk and clear headed all at once.

"He's going to run," Mai stated.

"I know," Azula answered. But he won't get away. I can keep him. Because I have all the leverage I need…

…I think it's time to pay a visit to his dear waterbender.

…